Technical Abstract:
Automation of grain sampling for insect pests should help to increase the adoption of stored-grain integrated pest management programs. Currently, there are acoustic sensors and electronic grain probe traps that are available for monitoring insects in stored grain. Both the acoustic and electronic grain probe, however, have difficulty in identifying different insect species, and in converting the number of sounds, or the number of insects caught in a trap, into insect numbers per kg of grain. Insect species and grain temperature are two important factors that influence trap catch. Thus, the automated trap needs to be able to estimate not only the number caught, but also the species and grain temperature. Several researchers have developed statistical equations to convert probe trap catch into insects per kg of grain. We conducted research with an electronic grain probe trap that has the potential to automate monitoring of insects in stored grain. We are currently working to integrate the electronic grain probe with Stored Grain Advisor Pro (SGA Pro). Stored Grain Advisor Pro was developed during a USDA, Agricultural Research Service demonstration project for areawide IPM for stored wheat in Kansas and Oklahoma. The software helped grain managers interpret insect sampling data, and provided a risk analysis report that described which bins were likely to be at risk for insect damage. We are currently working on statistical equations that will allow SGA Pro to convert the electronic probe trap data into insect density. This will allow SGA Pro to provide insect management recommendations to the farmer or elevator manager.